How Do You Spell HIGHTAIL?

Pronunciation: [hˈa͡ɪte͡ɪl] (IPA)

'Hightail' is spelled with the letter 'h' followed by the diphthong 'ai' (which is pronounced like 'ɑɪ') and then 't' and 'ail'. The correct IPA phonetic transcription of this word is ˈhaɪteɪl. It means to move quickly or flee in haste, often used in the phrase 'hightail it out of here'. This spelling has remained unchanged since the 19th century. 'Hightail' can be easily confused with 'high tale', a common mistake made by spell-checkers.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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HIGHTAIL Meaning and Definition

  1. Hightail is a verb that is often used informally and figuratively, meaning to hurry or rush away quickly from a place or situation. It is commonly used to describe the act of hastily departing or making a swift retreat.

    The term "hightail" is believed to have originated from American slang in the early 20th century, where it was used to describe the way a hare runs swiftly with its tail held erect. It is often associated with the image of fleeing in haste, similar to animals fleeing from danger.

    The term has since been adapted into the English vernacular to describe human actions, particularly when one is trying to escape or make a speedy exit. It implies a sense of urgency, as if someone is trying to distance themselves as quickly as possible from a specific place or situation.

    For example, one might say, "I need to hightail it out of here before the storm hits," indicating a need to leave swiftly to avoid adverse weather conditions. Similarly, one may use the phrase, "Let's hightail out of this party before it gets too crowded," to express the desire to leave quickly before a situation becomes overwhelming.

    Overall, "hightail" is an informal term that describes the act of rapidly departing from a place or situation, often implying urgency and the desire to escape swiftly.

Common Misspellings for HIGHTAIL

Etymology of HIGHTAIL

The word "hightail" is derived from two separate words: "high" and "tail". The term originated in the United States in the mid-19th century and was initially used in cowboy slang.

The "high" in "hightail" suggests the act of moving quickly or at great speed, while "tail" refers to the rear end or, metaphorically, the behind of an animal. When someone or something "hightails" it, it implies a swift departure or retreat, similar to an animal swiftly raising its tail in alarm or fleeing.

Idioms with the word HIGHTAIL

  • hightail it out of (smw) The idiom "hightail it out of (smw)" means to quickly or urgently leave or flee from a place, often due to a sense of danger, discomfort, or the need for haste. It implies a swift and immediate departure.
  • hightail it out of (somewhere) The idiom "hightail it out of (somewhere)" means to leave or flee from a place quickly and in a hurry. It implies a sense of urgency or the need to escape swiftly.
  • hightail it The idiom "hightail it" means to quickly leave or flee from a place, often in a hurried or urgent manner.

Similar spelling words for HIGHTAIL

Conjugate verb Hightail

CONDITIONAL

I would hightail
you would hightail
he/she/it would hightail
we would hightail
they would hightail

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be hightailing
you would be hightailing
he/she/it would be hightailing
we would be hightailing
they would be hightailing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have hightail
you would have hightail
he/she/it would have hightail
we would have hightail
they would have hightail

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been hightailing
you would have been hightailing
he/she/it would have been hightailing
we would have been hightailing
they would have been hightailing

FUTURE

I will hightail
you will hightail
he/she/it will hightail
we will hightail
they will hightail

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be hightailing
you will be hightailing
he/she/it will be hightailing
we will be hightailing
they will be hightailing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have hightailed
you will have hightailed
he/she/it will have hightailed
we will have hightailed
they will have hightailed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been hightailing
you will have been hightailing
he/she/it will have been hightailing
we will have been hightailing
they will have been hightailing

IMPERATIVE

you hightail
we let´s hightail

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to hightail

PAST

I hightailed
you hightailed
he/she/it hightailed
we hightailed
they hightailed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was hightailing
you were hightailing
he/she/it was hightailing
we were hightailing
they were hightailing

PAST PARTICIPLE

hightailed

PAST PERFECT

I had hightailed
you had hightailed
he/she/it had hightailed
we had hightailed
they had hightailed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been hightailing
you had been hightailing
he/she/it had been hightailing
we had been hightailing
they had been hightailing

PRESENT

I hightail
you hightail
he/she/it hightails
we hightail
they hightail

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am hightailing
you are hightailing
he/she/it is hightailing
we are hightailing
they are hightailing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

hightailing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have hightailed
you have hightailed
he/she/it has hightailed
we have hightailed
they have hightailed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been hightailing
you have been hightailing
he/she/it has been hightailing
we have been hightailing
they have been hightailing
I would have hightailed
we would have hightailed
you would have hightailed
he/she/it would have hightailed
they would have hightailed

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Correct spelling for hightail
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